Freedom Writers: A "Film for Change"

Freedom Writers, starring Hillary Swank and directed by Richard LaGravenese is the true story of a class of students who grew up in the harsh streets of Long Beach, California. These students, almost all of whom are affiliated with gangs, are considered to be delinquents and are put into the class of Erin Gruwell. Erin, who is sadly unprepared for such students, is forced to create a bond with her students in order to break through a concrete wall of racism and intolerance.

I found this film to be of decent quality. It was well acted by the cast, especially Hillary Swank and April Lee Hernandez. The court scene in which Eva has to testify was very finely portrayed. Erin’s fights with her husband were very well acted out on her part. However, I was somewhat disappointed with Patrick Dempsey’s portrayal of his character. His acting seemed rather flat when compared to the emphatic performances of many of the other characters. The entire subplot with Erin’s marital problems seemed very undeveloped. While films of this genre do not usually attract me, this film proved itself to be very engaging. The fact that it was based off of a true story helped to draw me into the storyline, considering that the characters actually experienced the events of the film in real life.

I believe that the film was attempting to tell the audience that change is possible, even in the most unlikely of situations. This is an extremely optimistic theme, optimistic to the point of unrealism. In many cases an attitude such as this may have been effective, but if any of the children had been fully initiated into gangs, the result would have been very different. I highly doubt that a boy that has been hardened by gang violence would be willing to hold a fundraiser to go to The Museum of Tolerance.

In all aspects, Freedom Writers is an enjoyable movie, even if it is a bit over the top in terms of its message. The story is engaging, the characters are interesting and the acting is just dramatic enough to make it seem realistic. It stands out from other films of its genre, and despite some undeveloped plot, captures your attention from start to finish.

A Review of a Review

I read a movie review for the movie The Last Samurai starring Tom Cruise. I enjoyed the review because it was very well written, and had a good description of the plot without giving away the important events of the movie.

I greatly enjoyed the attitude that the writer had toward the film. She was very unbiased and highlighted both the good and bad aspects of the film. She was extremely professional, and made clear her opinion of every aspect of the film. She covered everything from the soundtrack to the plot, and even the camera work of the cameramen, creating a very informative review.

I also thought very highly of her fair but firm criticism of Tom Cruise’s role, stating that perhaps he may have not been the best actor for the role. She also provides a very cleverly written description of the plot that does not necessarily create any spoilers. It was found on the site http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,550781,00.html.

Cover Letter

Nathaniel
Blackville, NB
NaMc00238@student.nbed.nb.ca

February 3, 2009

Dear Mr. Carter,
I noticed that the online newspaper, the Talon, had a section on entertainment. This interested me very much, because I love music and movies, but what captured my interest the most was the section on gaming. I would like to apply for a position on the Talon, especially the gaming section. Video games have been an interest of mine for a long time. I have been playing them since I was a child, and I play them for several hours every day. I have also made them a large part of my life, and may even make a career of them in the long run. I keep myself informed on current games and upcoming games and play them frequently. I feel that this and my abilities as a writer will make me a helpful asset to the gaming section of the Talon.


Sincerely,
Nathaniel McNair

Tour of Duty

As the soldiers plod along the street in their heavy gear, the merciless sun beats down from the cloudless sky in an incessant assault of heat. The light reflects off of the barbed wire and chain link fences that surround the area where they walk, shining brightly into their eyes. In the overwhelming heat, every breath is labored, every step is a mile, and every second is a thousand years. The sun bakes their heads from above, and the hard packed dirt bakes their feet from below.
The fact that it is only hot is a blessing for these men. These are the men that run into gunfire and explosions to retrieve a wounded comrade, to drag him out of the hail of bullets and the thundering explosions, only to return to that once the wounded man is safe. These are the men that are just as mortal as your or I, just as vulnerable to a bullet as anyone, and yet they cast that aside to protect the innocent. Every day might be the day that an insurgent emerges from an alleyway with a gun and blows a hole in one of them. Every day might be the day that a land mine or roadside bomb blows one of them to smithereens. Any day could be the last for these heroes.
But these soldiers ignore all these facts, because it is their job to step into the path of danger to protect others. It is their job to stare Death in the eyes, and spit in his face, each and every day that they serve.